In today's
world, are we too sensitive to being "politically correct" at the
expense of another's eternal life? Or
are we literally indifferent to their eternal life?
We see
around us so much that dishonors God, so many misguided souls (lost?), and the
heartbreak of those we personally know who have moved away from the faith. It is overwhelming, and society discourages
us from asking someone about their spiritual health, lest we be perceived as
judging another. The whole idea of
"outreach" or "reaching our community with Christ" is
intimidating. Do we care that someone
may not be in heaven? We can start with
just one. Look around you. Maybe it is a family member or a member of
our church family. Pick one person close
to you who seems to have lost his or her faith.
Care about that one.
"The Lord said to Cain, 'Where is your
brother Abel?' 'I don't know,' he
replied. 'Am I my brother's
keeper?'" (Genesis 4:9) That phrase has become a slogan to
rationalize indifference to someone else's physical or spiritual
struggles. Cain thought the answer was
an obvious one, "no". God
thinks the opposite. God answers
"yes". In fact, it's one of
His chief reasons for inventing families and congregations - so that nobody slips
between the cracks, unnoticed, uncared for, unlamented.
That's what
compassion means - that we are willing to feel someone else's pain, help carry
someone else's burden, care about someone else's eternal destiny. Yes, it is our business to care about our
brother/sister in Christ and to act on their behalf. The Small Groups I am part of help me do
this. Together we help to meet the needs
of an individual or family through hands-on assistance or support them through
prayer and encouragement. What helps you
to be your brother's keeper, to care for others, to maybe affect someone's
eternal destiny?
Director of Discipleship
pwegner@peacelutheran.net
